Traffic signal



Nov. 15, 1938..

A. Ef.4 GRANTHAM 2,137,161

TRAFFIC SIGNAL '2 .Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 12, 195@ WU Mako-1,-

Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED s TArEs 'PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Aubrey B. Grantham, Douglaston, N. Y. Application June 12, 1936, serial No. 84,930 2 Claims( (01.177-337) This invention relates to an improvement in traffic signals, and more particularly to automatic signals such as are ordinarily used for directing vehicular traffic, particularly at intersections of streets or roads. l

The object of the invention is to provide in such automatic traflic signals, denite indications of the direction of Vtraffic movement by the 'shape and position of the illumination thereof,

l0 in addition to the color of the lights, so that the signals will be clearly understood by motorists, as well as by pedestrians, even though such persons may have lost their color sense and become what is usually referred to as color blind". In carrying out this object, the signal lights, which may be controlled in the usual 4way by automatic equipment, are of distinct shapes and positions and, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, this presents a horizontal bar of red light and a vertical bar of green light to indicate, respectively, closed and clear or open traffic lanes, which respective bars of red and green light are arranged facing in the same direction and are designed to be energized or illuminated alternately for indicating, respective- 1y, stop and go, according to which of the lights is illuminated. The arrangement of the lights in horizontal and vertical relations deflnitely indicates both to motorists and pedestrians the direction of movement of the trafc along the respective lanes, even though such persons may have lost their color sense.

The signal has provision for simultaneously controlling intersecting trailc lanes, by presenting controlling bars of light in different directions at adjacent, and if desired, also opposite sides thereof, and alternating the signals without bodily movement of the signal device.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different embodiments of the invention, in which1 Fig. l is a perspective View, showing one form of signal mounted on a cross Wire, which is useful at the middle of an intersection;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the mounting of a signal on a post;

Fig. 3 is an isometric View of this form of signal;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through one of the horizontal arms, taken on the line 5 5, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the vertical arm, taken on the line 6 6, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, showing a slightly diierent illumination for the signal;

Fig. B is a side elevation of a similar form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a verticalsectional view through the horizontal arm thereof, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and

FFig v10 is a horizontal sectional view through the vertical arm thereof, taken on the line lll- :I'of Fig. 8;

In the embodiment of this invention illustrated in Figs` 1 to 6 of the drawings, the traffic signal comprises a casing designated generally by the numeral I, which is substantially L-shape when 'viewed from any side, top, or bottom, so as to provide apair of horizontal arms 2, which extend laterally in different directions from the upper end of a vertical arm 3. Each of the horizontal arms 2 has Windows 4, in opposite sides thereof, when the signal is intended to control traffic moving in opposite directions where a single signal is used at the street intersection, but there may be only one window 4, when the signal is used on each corner of the intersection as has been customary with some traffic signals heretofore. Illuminating lamps 5 are arranged in the arms 2 for illuminating the windows 4. The Windows 4 are preferably provided with glass or other transparency colored red, in order to indicate, when illuminated, that the traic should stop in that direction.

The Vertical arm 3 is shown as provided with four windows 6, one on each side thereof, which should also be formed by glass or other transparent material, and preferably are colored green to indicate the direction of movement of trafiic. Lamps 'l are shown as arranged within the vertical arm 3 for illuminating the windows Less than four windows 6 may be used, if desired, as for instance, one, when the signal is used on each corner of an intersection.

It will be understood that the automatic trahie signal embodying this invention is not bodily movable to different signalling positions, but it is adapted to present different bars of light in the same direction, as green and red alternately, and also alternating with other lights on adiacent sides, Without bodily movement of the signal.

The forms of the invention shown here present a novel and distinctive form of traffic signal which is shown as approximately L-shape when viewed from any side, although it is obvious that it may be made square as indicated at 8 in Fig. 4, if desired, or of triangular or other shape in plan.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, horizontal and vertical lighting tubes 9 and IU are arranged on the respective arms of the signal, which tubes may be gaseous discharge tubes of the character of neon tubes, and used in place of the lighted windows described above.

A more complete signal of this character is shown in Figs. 8 to 10 of the drawings, in which a casing 2| has horizontal and vertical arms 22 and 23 extending therefrom, which arms are not of box type, but rather are of skeleton frame type as shown in the sectional views, Figs. 9 and l0. The horizontal arm 22 has a vertical web 24 with a cover 25 extending over the arm, including the web 24 and secured thereto, while the end of the arm is provided with a wall 26.

Bars of light are provided at opposite sides of the arms 22, by means of a gaseous discharge tube 2l, which extends lengthwise on opposite sides of the web 24, and through said web adjacent the end wall 26, the inner ends of the tube 2l having the usual electrodes therein at the casing 2l for creating an electrical discharge in the tube.

As shown in Fig. 10, the vertical arm 23 is of skeleton frame form as indicated at 28, between the webs of which are arranged gaseous discharge tubes of the neon type designated generally by the numeral 29 for presenting bars of light in diierent directions alternately, the light on opposite sides of the signal arm being presented simultaneously, but alternately at right angles thereto. The tubes 29 are arranged in cross relation, and each of the tubes extends through the skeleton frame structure 28, near the lower end of the arm 23, and have their upper ends joined to the box structure 2i, being provided with electrodes at said upper ends.

The gas in the tubes 21 and 29 may be colored in the usual way to present, respectively, red and green light effects when said tubes are energized. The red light tube 2l will be energized simultaneously with the green light tube 29, at right angles thereto, so as to control movement of traiic in different directions at an intersection without movement of the signal as a whole and without any manual control thereof, being controlled entirely by the usual automatic equipment.

It will be understood that a horizontal arm corresponding with the arm 22 extends at right angles thereto, so as to stop the movement of traic on the street or road intersecting that which the arm 22 faces and which other arm will present horizontal bar of red light to the intersecting street or road simultaneously with the energizing of the tube 29 shown in full lines in Fig. 8 to permit traiic to move in the direction facing the signal in said ligure.

The important feature of the invention is the provision of a plurality of signal areas of distinctly contrasting shape, such as horizontal and vertical areas, in the form of bars of light arranged to be viewed alternately from one point of view at a side of the signal, which contrasting areas or bars of light are adapted to be alternately illuminated, as, for instance, by the usual control box designated generally by the numeral Il, in Fig. 1, in order to indicate by the shape of the bar of light, as Well as by the color of the illumination, the direction of movement of trailic, even to persons who have lost their color sense.

The signal may be supported in any well-known or customary manner as, for instance, by a cable I2, shown in Fig. 1, which extends transversely of a street intersection, or by a bracket arm I3, supported by a post i4, as shown in Fig. 2, which may be used at the corner of the intersection.

I claim:

l. A traffic signal comprising a structure having a plurality of elongated signal arms rigidly connected together at one end and extending respectively approximately in horizontal directions therefrom, With a separate signal arm extending substantially in a vertical direction from said connected ends, each of said signal arms having an upright signal face for presenting different light signals respectively when illuminated alternately.

2. A traiiic signal comprising a structure having a plurality of elongated signal arms rigidly connected together at one end and extending respectively approximately in horizontal direcl tions therefrom substantially at right angles to each other with a separate signal arm extending substantially in a vertical direction therefrom, each of said signal arms having an upright signal face for presenting different light signals respectively when illuminated alternately, the horizontal arms alternately presenting stop signals simultaneously on opposite faces thereof and the vertical arm presenting go signals on four faces thereof alternately with the corresponding stop signals.

AUBREY B. GRANTHAM. 

